Upgrade

A little bit of panic at work this morning - there was no electricity. Had to call maintenance. Was told that there was a trip last night as they were installing a new TV for the department. Left work at 15:00.

Good friend from Australia visiting for a few days. Was supposed to go out drinking (yeah, this would be the first time in a very long time), but I gave in to my sleepiness at 19:00 and slept until 23:00. Was watching Knight Rider (classic!) just dozed off. Even forgot to take out my clothes from the washing machine. So now, I have to wash them again else they'll have this weird stinky smell. 

As I was thinking about my career, I remembered my lecturer once told me, in this ever changing world today where things are so fast paced, it is paramount for us to 'learn how to learn'. So what does that mean? It simply means we have to constantly upgrade ourselves to keep up with times. Things that were relevant yesterday, may be irrelevant today. As the saying goes, education is a lifelong process. So I'm trying to pick up SAS / SQL progamming. I've been seeing it as a requirement for many Risk Management roles - guess they use it to set up / amend rules.

Another Junction

I'm getting lazy and because of that, putting on weight again. Need to think of something pronto, or I'll have trouble fitting my clothes again.

I've reached another junction, and I am not sure which road to take. I know what I want, but every time it seems like I'm blocked, or is this my transit ticket? Should I take another leap of faith, or should I press the conservtive button and go with what's safe? Whatever it is, I need to re-strategize...

Talked to Nick, mom, and dad earlier. It's like 5 - 7 degress celcius in Adelaide now. Dad's asking to join him and mom during Hari Raya, to KK for a 3D 2N trip. It's been a while since I visited my uncle and aunts in KK. Shit happened to me when I was in KK 6 years ago, and if weren't for my aunts, I'd probably wouldn't be where I am today.

Excerpt from today's reading:-

When I saw you back then,
I was lost for words
I wanted to tell you that I'm leaving
But I didn't know how

I left with regret, not telling you
What I wanted to say
Don't know how, don't know when
But I am sure one day I will tell you

Working tomorrow... More DILs :) Wishing you a good night's sleep and may the weekend be good to you.

Back to KL

The next time I take the night flight, I am going to make sure that I take a 1/2 day off the next day. It was tiring, and by the time I got home and took my shower, I practically knocked off till 7:00 AM. Headed to the alternate site for testing this morning and went for lunch, with Lourdes. Caught up on old times and also updates on what currently happening. A lot has changed. With the majority of population working in the night, there were more happening stuff going on ;)

As I was making my way to the immigration check point last night, I looked back at the glass walls that separated the departure hall and the lobby outside. There were people on the outside waving farewell to their family, loved ones. The one thought that came through my mind at that point, "Yeah, I remember" Was it a sweet or bitter memory? I guess a little bit of both.

Took a DISC (personality test) earlier, and it shows that I'm a IS (Influensive, Steadiness) type of person. Try it when you're free, pretty accurate :)

www.123test.com/disc-personality-test/

I wish you a good night's sleep... Don't let the bed bugs bite and tug yourself in nicely... Signing off @ home

Lost but Not Found

I just realized yesterday evening that I lost my EZLink card. Must have dropped out of my pockets during lunch. Today was rather interesting, as I explored Raffles Place a little (met a few colleagues for lunch) before coming back. Also found out that Subway SG had a 1 for 1 sale, not as good as KL (KL has it for the whole month) but heck, it's still 1 for 1 right :)

Excerpt from today's reading:-

As I leave

I feel the glass which once once full

Is now empty and there's nothing inside

Maybe it was all an illusion

Was it because I was too cold?
Was it because I was afraid?

These questions left unanswered

Because all seems to be a bluff

Feelings are sometimes like the wind

They come and they go

Feel the nice cool breeze for a moment

And the next it is no longer there

Miracle I pray for you to come

Maybe you will maybe you will not

Hope is slowly fading

Till none is left
How much more can I take...

I guess, I never really got to hi nor good bye.

Lorong 27A, Geylang

Stomach about to burst. Had dinner with my colleagues at Seoul Garden @ Harbourfront. Received a call from another colleague for dinner after that, so decided to join. Was loitering at toys 'r' us while waiting and found a lot of intetesting stuff, but as I was about to look into more detail, colleague called. Gotta make sure I come back to check next month :)

We went for hawker street food at Esplanade. Later on, felt that I wanted to eat something sweet, and so taufu far @ Geylang. It was pretty good actually. Colleague had salted soy bean with egg and you tiao. It sounded weird to me though.

There is 1 more thing which I have not done... Oh well, wish you a sweet blissful dream.

Something Changed?

A typical work day here - came in the morning, went for a jog, came back, showered, started work, lunch at 15:00, back to work, and left office at 20:30. Ha ha ha.

Went to The Bencoolen again after work as my friend asked to get another watch for his friend. Same model but only difference was the strap. The one I bought yesterday was stainless steel but today's one was rubber. The difference in price was about $100.

Excerpt from today's reading:-

Today the weather is windy
The winds of the monsoon is coming
Bringing the rain with it

It has been raining here lately
I don't know what to say
You said things never changed
Yet you look not the same as yesterday

Maybe it is me
Who never seem to change
And never wanted to accept
That things are no longer the same

Darn, stomach growling now. Of all the times, when I already showered. Wishing you a pleasant and peaceful sleep. May angels descend upon you in your dreams. Signing off via Note.

Human Traffic

I think I sprained a few muscles when I was snoozing in the office. Went to Orchard earlier to walk around. Spent less than an hour because it was too crowded. There was literally a jam - not cars but people! wouldn't have expected it to be this crowded so probably need to go on a weekday. Went to Bugis area after that to look for Darren's watch. The difference in price for the same product, between the shop in Bugis and the one in Ion Orchard... almost $200!!!

Came back to the hostel and just lazing about now. Have yet to recover from yesterday's sporting event. So I guess I'll sleep longer tonight. Wishing you a good and restful night, so that when you wake up tomorrow, you'll be filled with energy to take on the week ahead.

Close Call

We won!!! Finally... :)

I almost missed my flight, again! And this time it was because I was so burned out after yesterday's tournament, that the moment I laid on my bed to rest, I immediately dozed off. I was supposed to be a 45 minute sleep (just like the good old days where we would sleep in the meeting rooms during out night shift), but it turned out to be 4 instead. I woke up at 2:30, nothing packed yet, and my laptop was still at the office. So I packed whatever I could, called a cab, and dashed out of the house. Cab driver was nice enough to wait for me while I went up the office to get my stuff.

Checked into the hostel, and now at the office to drop off my laptop. I think I'll take a nap for a while...

Forgetful

 

Yeah! The weekend again... Finally, today's event that we've been preparing for over a month is now over. Overall, I think the team did really well, given the number of people that turned up for the event. Tomorrow's game day. Still feeling tired from Wednesday's practice. LOL.

Again chatted up the cab driver when I was on my way home today (decided to take a cab instead of train as I extremely tired). So apparently, taxi drivers have their R&Rs too. The one in which I sat in was awarded runners up for the "Best Taxi Driver". Their KPIs - number of passenger in a calendar year, number of complaints received, and ease of dealing with the call centre. Interesting huh.

Lately, I've been forgetting to zip up my pants every time I leave the gym. I forgot 3/5 days this week. The consequences - people give me that stare, and that's when I know something is not right. Oh well, probably early signs of Alzheimer?

Relationships

Was browsing through Facebook earlier, and saw this on a friend's wall. Found it very nice and meaningful, but whether or not it applies, is entirely up the couple.

Question: Why do you prefer long distance relationships?

They're stronger. They mean a lot more. Well to me that is, I mean think about it. Trust is the biggest thing in a relationship. If you can trust someone who lives hundreds of miles away, then that's beautiful. Sure you don't get to hug the other person, kiss the person, wake up next to the person, but you get to talk to them, hear them. Think about how amazing it's gonna be. You fight less. You laugh more. They're beautiful. And I respect anyone who is in one. They're hard, they're harder than a lot of things, but they're worth it in the end. Why let distance ruin your feelings for someone? Feelings are feelings, love is love, that's not gonna change. I love long distance relationships for a lot of reasons. But mostly because they're beautiful - Anonymous

Waiting for my clothes to be washed. My schedule is going to be jam-packed tomorrow. For once not TGIF. Ha ha ha. Wishing you all a good night's sleep. If you have trouble falling asleep, close your eyes, and start counting sheep... with your heart! Sweet dreams :)

Overworked

Starting to feel my joints aching - a sign of old age (no longer as fit as before). Had a basketball practice session with my friends earlier. Was dehydrated after the 2 hour session, that when I reached the 'kopitiam' I had 5 glasses of iced drinks. Overall, I had a great time. The last time I ran like this was probably during high school when I was active in sports. Thank you to all my friends who made it, and I hope you enjoyed as much as I did.

Excerpt from yesterday's reading:-

I feel it in the atmosphere

I feel it everywhere

It shows in your face

And more evident through your actions

Your sailing away with the wind

You pulled your anchor up

And your ship is moving away

The distance between us starts to grow

Standing here at the harbour

Looking while you set sail for open sea

Nothing I can do but wave goodbye

This feeling, I dread

Time to call it a night. I hope that you get manage to find the sleeping fairy tonight, who will ensure that you sleep well, and wake up fresh like the morning dew tomorrow. Signing off @ home.

Taxi Service

Took a cab back today as I was stayed back very late. I was amazed, that the taxi service in KL is now more advance. We have something similar to Singapore's taxis, where there's a mini-like computer for the taxi to bid for customers. Chatted with the taxi drive and he told me roughly how it worked. Assuming I am calling up for a cab, the call centre will then broadcast my pickup point to all the taxis within the vicinity. The taxi drivers then need to bid, and the one who is nearest to my location (based on GPS calculation) will win the bid. Pretty interesting huh. For the passenger, you get a SMS once your taxi is confirmed, and another when the taxi has arrived at the pickup point.

Thought of a business plan last night while I was analyzing the markets. It has something to do with being the middle man, between the buyer and the seller, similar to Alibaba.com. Need to do some research :)

Read today, but too tired to post, will do it tomorrow. Good night everyone. To those that are stressed out from work or chores, I hope you find peace and rejuvenate. Signing off @ home

Sick :(

Feel like vomitting and my stomach is making weird sounds - must be the milk tea I had earlier. It was horrible! The taste of the tea was too strong, and the milk powder did not dissolve entirely.

The last time I fell sick was like 6 months ago. Met up with an old time colleague last night, and we had an interesting discussion around how life is turning out to be. He enjoys working in the day, but now he says, he needs to put on a mask whenever he steps through the front door of the office. Work can be stressful at times, but in return he gets to do all the activity he missed out when he was working in the night. So I guess there's sort of a trade off there. All in all he's happy, and that is what matters most.
I wonder what's happening on the other side?

I'm drained...

Frustrated

The electricity was out for about 3 hours. When I went down to enquire, no one at the guard house knew the root cause. Asked for the JMB's (a group of residents who were elected as the condo's representative) contact but there was none. Terrible. Oh well, I Just came to terms with the situation. Shit does happen once in a while :)

Excerpt from today's reading:-

Along this quiet and lonely path

Reminds me of the days when

We were happily strolling hand in hand

And hopping with joy at times

The path is now covered with leaves

That fell to the ground in autumn

Covering all that was once good memories

The dead leaves cry in vain

The time will come when you
Receive what is rightfully yours
And when that days comes to light
I will have to walk away

Confused

Finally... Cool air ~

Been having confused thoughts and feelings throughout the day. Where shall I start?

Tour Guide

Got myself a new pair of sport shoes at 50% off normal price (damn good bargain)

Decided to go for a quick jog during lunch time, so I packed my stuff and headed for the gym. On my way, I bumped into Lay (a Vietnamese tourist) who was looking for Le Apple Boutique Hotel. I didn't know where it was so I had to google it. Eventually found the number and asked for directions. As I walking her to the hotel, we chatted a about her trip to Malaysia and a little bit about herself. Lay's a first year Finance student. She's in Malaysia for a week, going back this Sunday. Spent 4 days in Penang before coming to KL today. She'll be heading back to Ho Chi Minh on Sunday. Hope she enjoys her stay in KL.

I'll be getting my portable air con tomorrow :)

Watching Great Teacher Onizuka and came across the drama's soundtrack, pretty meaningful (translated from Japanese to English):-

Poison - Takashi Sorimachi

I want to believe forever

I want to keep thinking until the end

There should be some meaning to my life

Smiling with cold eyes

Do guys who have had their souls violated

Feel the pain of shedding tears?

In this kind of world where you can't say what you want

Poison

I'll keep on living without deceiving myself

Oh oh

Now facing it head on

In order to keep our pride

We have to fight

Sitting on the stairs

We talked of unending dreams

Until dawn

The seasons change unconcerned

I unconsciously drop my gaze

Am I getting used to being swept away?

In this kind of world where you can't have even small dreams

Poison

I want to always and at any time like who I am

Oh oh

Because I want to treasure

These days that I live with freedom

Now I'll walk the path that I want to

I don't want to be manipulated by filthy lies and words

I don't want to turn my eyes away from my true feelings

In this kind of world where you can't say what you want

Poison

I'll keep on living without deceiving myself

Oh oh

Now facing it head on

In order to keep our pride

We have to fight

Somewhat a Windfall

Became RM3,500 richer today :) But what mattered most was that it is a reflection of how well the overall team is doing.

Came back sweating from a 20 minute jog, up and down the stairway. I'm supposed to dress up in a black suit tomorrow but I can't find one.

Can't think right, and I can't sleep!!! So I'm learning how to reimage my Windows.. Ha ha ha

Santa's Elf

Today, I wrapped more than 20 boxes (measuring 10cm x 5cm) and pasted over 200 messages on Kit Kat bars. It was like a production line in a factory. Of course the quality of my wrapping sucked - I was more good at ripping off gift wrappers rather than wrapping gifts. Wouldn't it be fun if the Company paid us to do this, and our KPIs would be the number of gifts that we wrapped every day. LOL.

Excerpt from today's reading:-

Been waking up in the middle of the night

From a nightmare that I dread to experience

I look for you, but you aren't there

I call out your name, but you're not here

Sleepless nights seem to be a norm these days

And my nightmare is becoming a part of reality

Reality turning into my nightmare

Seems like I am living a dream in a dream

I want to wake up from this dream

So that I can once again see you

In reality once again

Almost midnight, you have a good rest, and don't let the bed bugs bite. Sweet dreams. Signing off @ home.

Too Much Liquid

The thing I like about Chili's is their bottomless juice. Had dinner with Darren earlier and I had 4 glasses of mango juice. The repercussion - I went to the toilet like four times to pee... LOL. After dinner, I went to Machines @ KLCC to once again check out the new iPad. Tempted to buy one, but then again I guess I don't really need it now so I guess it's more of a luxury rather than a necessity.

Excerpt from today's reading:-

This distance between us lately

Makes me feel awkward

Sometimes saying a 'hello'

Becomes the most difficult thing

Holding onto something that does not exist

Many would say it is called stupidity

Yet I stand here every day waiting

For the moment I believe that will come

We're scheduled for a dry run tomorrow, and I haven't even prepare anything. Oh bummer! I'm so screwed. Looks like it's going to be a 700 in the office scenario tomorrow morning.

I wish you have sweet dreams all the way till the next morning when you wake up. Good night :)

True Story

Boy dates Girl. Soon after, Boy breaks up with Girl, reason being Boy wants to experience 'life'. Nasty breakup. Boy goes on with life, Girl dwells on the breakup. After 9 years and having fully experience 'life' Boy is ready for a real relationship with commitment. Boy sees Girl on Facebook. Boy asks Girl for a meet up as friends. Girl says okay. Boy is supposed to meet Girl at a huge mall. Girl forgets her mobile, and Boy's mobile is out of battery trying to call. Boy decides to take a stroll in the mall and end up in a bookshop. While reading a magazine, Girl comes up to Boy and says "Hi". It was then that both Boy and Girl knew that fate brought them back together once again.

The Hangover - Part II

Just watched it earlier and found that it funny and a little awry. Made me think about the kind things that happen when people go drunk.

I remember the days when I used to drink and got drunk almost every day of the week (not in KL of course). There were times when I got so pissed drunk that I slept on the road and my friends had to carry me to the side. Then there was this time when I puked, and later came rolling down the stairway, and my friends had to check me into a hotel. I was pushed to my room in a wheelchair because I was to drunk to even walk.

The next morning when I wake up, definite hangover. Head's heavy, don't feel like eating anything but drink water, and every time I burped I could taste the alcohol - yuck! Wonder if I'll ever be in that kind of situation again... But if I ever did, I won't drink till I'm pissed drunk.

Back to work tomorrow. I wish you all a good night's rest, and may you be filled with enthusiasm to take on the week ahead. Signing off @ home

...

I know what it feels like now,
To be in your shoes
Torn between two paths
I don't know which one to choose

Decision need to be made
Between choices of equal fate
Difficult it is for me to fake
The feelings I have to forsake

Sometimes I feel that it would be good
If we didn't need to make decisions
To let life take its natural course
And determine both our fates

My AL Today

Spent my morning playing basketball with Ryan. My afternoon was spent in the office for a conference, left at 2000, and just had my dinner with Darren.

Tomorrow - working...

I know it's been a long week for some of you, but hey, TGIF! :). I hope you have time to rest, relax and rejuvenate over the weekend.

Catch?

I can't sleep tonight
When I close my eyes
I can't find you anywhere
All I see is a shadow of you

I ran and ran and ran
Trying ever so hard to catch up
But I never did, I came close
But you were always ahead

Casting the net of hope
I hold onto my will for you
They say patience is virtue
Yet so many lack of it

If I were a fisherman
And you the only fish
I will never catch you
I'd rather admire you from land

You swimming gracefully
Making all the colorful corals
Light up the deep blue sea

I know now that I may never see you
Because you were meant to swim freely
In the sea and not in the net of this fisherman

Practice

There's going to be an inter-department basketball tournament in the next 2 weeks. So I borrowed a ball from Ryan and I'm going to dribble while jogging for the next 2 weeks (hopefully I won't wake people up and get screwed...)

As I was doing my work earlier, the thought of my career came to mind. I reckon I'm pretty happy with where I am. I'm no big shot in the organization I work for, but that organization empowers me to do my job, and that in return gives me job satisfaction. And I believe that it isn't about how high up you go outside, but rather your inner self - do you continue to learn and develop or do you stay stagnant? I'm sure we all know the saying, "The grass is always greener on the other side..." The continuation, "... That's because there's a lot of shit under the grass." So end of day, it's really about self fulfillment. We've got to ask ourselves what can we do to make the best out of the current situation, and most of the time, these life changing events occur when we least expect them to.

So the answer I gave to my colleague who asked me the question, "Aren't you going to push forward and achieve more?" was... I am happy with what I am doing now. Sometimes we push ourselves to achieve something, and after achieving it we still feel empty inside, and then we continue to pursue other worldly things and still not feel content after getting them. The secret to it really, is we're already blessed with all the happiness and contentment that life has to offer. And it's really what's on the inside that count.

2220... I am going to go for a jog now. I wish you a good night's rest. May the stress and tension be taken away from you through sleep, and the thought of tomorrow brings hope and courage. Sweet dreams :) Signing off @ home

No Title

Mid week already... Will be featured in a 3-minute video, telling my audience the right thing to do in 'those' circumstances. Been thinking a lot about the near future, these few days. I wonder what lies ahead...

Excerpt from today's reading:-

Darkness covers the land
People losing their hopes
No one cared about anything
Everything seemed lost

There you were, innocent
Laying in the cradle
Not knowing what's to come
You looked up and smile

Don't be afraid little one
I will be here to stay
In these times of uncertainty
The world needs healing
And love will cure its sickness

Don't be afraid little one
You're never alone
For I have always been
Standing by your side all this while

Back to work. Sweet dreams folks. Signing off @ home

Hakuna Matata

Just got back from an hour's jog. Was jogging through some housing area earlier and somehow ended up half way to town. The walk + jog back was extremely tiring. First thing I did when I got home - made myself a cup of Glucolin.

For those of you who grew up watching The Lion King, you'd probably be familiar with this term. A Swahili phrase that can be translated literally as "No Worries". For those of you who have not watched the cartoon, I recommend that you do. Here's a youtube link to the song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejEVczA8PLU

Love, live, laugh, learn, forgive is key...no enemies, no stress, no worries...life is great besides a couple setbacks.

Time to get back to work. For those of you who's been having a rough week so far, I wish you peace, and hope you find some time to rest, relax and recollect yourselves before embarking on tomorrow's journey. Signing off @ home.

Handyman

Weather - Extremely hot! What's wrong with the air?!?! I've been practically changing my shirt which I use to sleep every night (normally 2 days once) as I've been sweating a lot. I've not been sleeping well due to the weather. I end up counting sheep every day till I fall asleep. LOL

Went out during lunch today and bought two water taps, one for the basin and another for the toilet. Came home not long ago and fixed both of them, one in Darren's toilet and the other in mine.

Excerpt from today's reading:-

At the bar in the pub

On a quiet Monday evening

Sitting alone at our favourite spot

Drinking like there's no Tuesday

Our last meeting ended up no where

Never got to say hello nor goodbye

Never got to tell you the words I want to say

It's been 5 days & 5 nights

When I last saw your beautiful face

Your image lingers in my mind

The days seem to go by without meaning

Hope your Monday started on a positive note, and may Tuesday and the remaining days be better than it already is today. Signing off @ home

Worth It?

Redondo wafers - Best wafers I tasted to far. Sad thing - not found in KL :~

  

My weekend is almost coming to an end, and as I think about how I've spent it, I ask myself, "Is it worth it?" Sometimes not everything we do are meant to be quantified. For example, showering love to someone is not an investment, but rather a form of charity. A love that is pure contributes beyond itself and brings joy and happiness yet expects nothing in return. Question is... Are we charitable?

Back to work tomorrow. Wishing you a good night's sleep and may you wake up fresh and full of energy to take on the week ahead. Signing off @ home

If patience is worth anything, it must endure to the end of time. And a living faith will last in the midst of the blackest storm. ~ Mahatma Gandhi 

Moving Forward

Interesting concept - Saw this at Vivo

Spent most of my day sleeping today. Earlier, I was thinking about how does one move forward from a bitter past. Was thinking and thinking and eventually I fell asleep. LOL.

The answer is 'reconciliation'. One must be able to accept his/her past by reconciling with it, in order to move forward to experience new life.

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like ~ Lao Tzu

Calling it a night. Wishing you a wonderful and relaxed weekend. Signing off @ home

Wedding

Attended Mareen's wedding after work. This is my first time attending a Punjabi wedding. Here are a few pictures and videos (can't seem to upload the video where Mareen and her cousins were performing - very entertaining!):-

And here's a lullaby for those having difficulties trying to sleep. A you imagine someone singing this to you, I pray you fall asleep and may your dreams be filled with all the good things in life... Signing off @ home

When You Wish Upon A Star
When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do

Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true.